NHTSA Complaint #10219232 — 2005 DODGE RAM

PURCHASED A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500 ON A 3-YEAR LEASE. THE VEHICLE HAS 24,000+/- MILES. DURING THE LAST OF JAN. 2008 THE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE LEASING DEALER ON FEBRUARY 4, 2008. THE NEXT DAY OR SO, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE DEALER SERVICE REP. WANTING "PROOF" OF OIL CHANGES. I EXPLAINED THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE RECEIPT'S SINCE I DO THE OIL & FILTER CHANGES MYSELF. I AM A FARMER AND HAVE MY OWN PIT BUILT SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PURPOSE. I DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING FOR ANOTHER WEEK, I CALLED BACK AND THEY WERE STILL ASKING FOR SERVICE RECEIPTS. FINALLY CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND A REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY WOULD HAVE AN ANSWER WITHIN 24 HOURS. THEY CALLED 2 WEEKS LATER SAYING THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE OIL WAS FILLED WITH SLUDGE AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. I DISAGREE OF COURSE AND WILL BE PURSUING THIS THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM. HAVING OWN A MULTITUDE OF VEHICLES IN MY 64 YEAR OLD LIFE, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT A MOTOR SHOULD NOT GO BAD AFTER 24,000 MILES IF THE OIL HAD NEVER BEEN CHANGED, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. *TR